Embarking on a 5-day photographic journey down Oregon’s picturesque coastline from Astoria to the southern reaches offers a blend of stunning seascapes, quaint towns, and unique lodging experiences. Here’s a meticulously crafted itinerary that highlights the best of the coast, ensuring you capture its essence through your lens while savoring the local charm and cuisine.
Day 1: Astoria to Cannon Beach
- Morning:
- Start in Astoria, the northernmost city on the Oregon Coast. Capture the sunrise at the Astoria Column for panoramic views.
- Explore the historic downtown and waterfront, perfect for street photography and architectural shots.
- Lunch: Enjoy a meal at the Bridgewater Bistro, offering river views and local seafood.
- Afternoon:
- Head south to the Fort Stevens State Park to photograph the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale and the surrounding dunes.
- Proceed to Cannon Beach, known for its iconic Haystack Rock. Spend the late afternoon capturing the changing light on the rock formations.
- Dinner: Dine at The Wayfarer, known for its locally sourced cuisine and ocean views.
- Lodging: Stay at a cozy cabin or boutique inn in Cannon Beach, such as the Cannon Beach Hotel, offering charm and comfort.
Day 2: Cannon Beach to Newport
- Morning:
- Capture the early morning light at Ecola State Park, offering sweeping coastal views and lush forested trails.
- Lunch: Grab a picnic from Ecola Seafoods in Cannon Beach and enjoy it at one of the scenic overlooks along the way.
- Afternoon:
- Drive to Tillamook and tour the Tillamook Creamery. The countryside provides a pastoral backdrop for photography.
- Continue to the Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Octopus Tree for unique photo opportunities.
- Dinner: Experience local flavors at Local Ocean Seafoods in Newport, with fresh catches and harbor views.
- Lodging: Overnight at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, a literary-themed hotel with oceanfront rooms, perfect for a relaxing evening.
Day 3: Newport to Florence
- Morning:
- Start with sunrise shots at Yaquina Head Lighthouse and the surrounding natural area.
- Visit the Oregon Coast Aquarium for interesting aquatic life photography.
- Lunch: Enjoy a casual lunch at the Chowder Bowl at Nye Beach, known for its homely vibe and classic coastal fare.
- Afternoon:
- Drive down to Heceta Head Lighthouse, stopping at the Sea Lion Caves for wildlife photography.
- Reach Florence and explore the historic Old Town for its quaint shops and riverfront views.
- Dinner: Dine at Waterfront Depot, known for its unique blend of local seafood and international flavors.
- Lodging: Spend the night at the Heceta Lighthouse B&B for a unique experience staying at a working lighthouse.
Day 4: Florence to Bandon
- Morning:
- Visit the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area for stunning landscape shots of the dunes, especially beautiful in the morning light.
- Lunch: Stop at the Green Salmon Coffee Company in Yachats for a light lunch and excellent coffee.
- Afternoon:
- Continue to Cape Perpetua for breathtaking views and natural wonders like the Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn.
- Arrive in Bandon by late afternoon to explore the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint and the unique rock formations along the beach.
- Dinner: Enjoy fresh, local ingredients at Alloro Wine Bar & Restaurant in Bandon.
- Lodging: Stay at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, offering comfortable lodging with stunning coastal views, even for non-golfers.
Day 5: Bandon to Brookings
- Morning:
- Capture the sunrise at Bandon Beach, famous for its photogenic sea stacks.
- Head south, stopping at the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor for a series of stunning coastal views and natural arches.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic with local delicacies gathered from Bandon’s markets, savored at one of the many scenic pullouts along the corridor.
- Afternoon:
- Continue to Brookings, the southernmost city on the Oregon coast. Explore the Azalea Park and the Chetco Point Park for serene landscapes and ocean vistas.
- Dinner: Conclude your coastal journey with dinner at the Oxenfre Public House in Brookings, known for its craft beers and hearty meals.
- Lodging: For the final night, choose a stay at the Wild Rivers Motor Lodge for a comfortable and relaxing end to your journey.
This itinerary is designed to offer a mix of iconic coastal landmarks, hidden gems, and immersive local experiences, ensuring a rich tapestry of memories and photographs to cherish.
So the above post was written largely with some prompts I fed into AI (or google on steroids) to get a peek into what sort of travel related tools are out there to assist in some of my future travels. In addition to the help with the words and format, the post is also supported using stock images that I thought helped tell the story.
I’ll take a completely different approach in a future post from my own recent personal experience as I traveled (albeit WAY too quickly) down the coast this past summer as well as my July 4th experience on a foggy Oregon Coast evening. My own perspective, where I stayed, what I would do differently, and a few images I captured along the way.
More on all or THAT later 🙂